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Colombia is the world's tenth largest producer of hard coals and the sixth largest exporter of coal. In 2006 it was estimated that Colombia would mine 64 million tonnes of thermal coal, of which approximately 60 million tonnes was for the international export trade.<ref>World Coal Institute, [http://www.worldcoal.org/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=188 "Coal Facts 2007"], World Coal Institute website, accessed June 2008.</ref> The U.S. Geological Survey states that Colombia is the largest coal producer in South America and has the largest reserves in the region. It also states that coal mining for export is booming in Colombia, with production having increased by 80% since 1999.<ref name="Torres"/><ref name="Torres">Ivette E. Torres, [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-co.pdf "The Mineral Industry of Colombia"], U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, December 2007.</ref>Overview===

 The majority of Colombia's coal exports are shipped to European markets due to shorter distances and lower freight costs compared to the rapidly growing Asian markets. Colombia is considered to be a low-cost producer with its coal highly sought after due to its low sulfur content.<ref>ABARE, "[http://www.abareconomics.com/interactive/AC_june_2006/htm/coal.htm Energy:Thermal coal"], Australian Commodities, June quarter 2006.</ref>However, in mid-2015 the completion of the Panama Canal expansion will facilitate coal exports from Colombia's Atlantic coal to Asian markets.<ref name=Gambrel>Dave Gambrel, [http://www.coalage.com/58-features/3183-colombian-coal-prepares-for-canal-expansion.html#.U6h7lpSwKpM "Colombian Coal Prepares for Canal Expansion,"] Coal Age, 22 November 2013</ref> According to one report, experts predict that Colombia's coal exports will double. In addition to expanding capacity to handle the increased demand, the coal industry must also comply with a new environmental law requiring that coal be loaded directly onto ships rather than delivered by barge.